Light leaks first frames on roll

[ericdan]

I have noticed pretty consistent light leaks on the first few frames of all my rolls.
It only seems to be an issue on the edges of the film.
I am wondering if this is light entering the cassette when I pull the leader out with a film picker or when they film is all wound up and nothing is sticking out.

 

[MattKing]

It is only on one edge, and it isn't continuous, so I would bet on the film picker.

 

[pentaxuser]

I see what appears to be light leaks. I have never noticed this on any D3200 in 35mm that I have used and home developed.

So this occurs with all D3200 films you have taken? How many films over what sort of period, are they all from the same camera and are they all home developed?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[pentaxuser]

Maybe film pickers vary in thickness but my Ilford film picker is essentially two extra thicknesses of film-like material that fit into the velvet trap and pulls the film out an inch or so from the trap. The film is tightly curled while inside the cassette and only the emerging short piece of film is uncurled. Yet despite this the black streaks are as far in as frame 10 albeit they are very thin by that stage

Even if the picker "opens" the velvet trap I am surprised that the light streaks get as far in as frame 10 when such frames are still tightly curled inside the cassette

I admit that I cannot offer an explanationt but can only express some doubts about being able to reconcile the streaks with the film picker being the cause.

pentaxuser

 

[Pat Erson]

OT but to me your films appear slightly "cooked" that is overdeveloped...

 

[tedr1]

3200 film is VERY sensitive to light leaks. They appear to be restricted to the film edge, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ic-racer]

There is usually more space between the film and the spool flange on 35mm canister than 35mm movie film reel which needs to keep the edges light tight. In a 35mm cassette, the light leaking through the felt trap does not have to pass through any film at all to strike the edge of the film ten frames in.

Under-exposure and over-development is one acceptable way to use D3200. It is described in the ILFORD pdf file.

 

[Kirks518]

FWIW, I like frame 4

 

[Pioneer]

It looks a bit like light piping. I get this with Adox CMS 20 and with JCH Street Pan 400 which have polyester film bases.

 

[albada]

I that you avoid the leader-picker by either (1) not rewinding the film completely to leave the leader hanging out, or (2) opening the cartridge in the darkroom or changing-bag when developing.

Mark Overton

 

[ericdan]

I see what appears to be light leaks. I have never noticed this on any D3200 in 35mm that I have used and home developed.

So this occurs with all D3200 films you have taken? How many films over what sort of period, are they all from the same camera and are they all home developed?

Thanks

pentaxuser

I have the same leaks on Tri-X.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I have noticed pretty consistent light leaks on the first few frames of all my rolls.
It only seems to be an issue on the edges of the film.
I am wondering if this is light entering the cassette when I pull the leader out with a film picker or when they film is all wound up and nothing is sticking out.

The cassette light trap is not necessarily light-proof with very high speed film!
With Delta P3200, ideally wrangle the leader out in a changing bag, or something considerably darker than the ambient surrounding light (out in the bush, I've done this with a paper clip in my sleeping bag). I've had severe light piping in P3200 120 rolls, too. it is a very, very sensitive film to any stray light and does require consideration in handling.

 

[ericdan]

There is usually more space between the film and the spool flange on 35mm canister than 35mm movie film reel which needs to keep the edges light tight. In a 35mm cassette, the light leaking through the felt trap does not have to pass through any film at all to strike the edge of the film ten frames in.

Under-exposure and over-development is one acceptable way to use D3200. It is described in the ILFORD pdf file.

I actually shoot this film rated at 1600 and develop at 10% longer than recommended. In this case it was a little bit too much.

 

[ericdan]

Not rewinding all the way is a good idea. I'll try that on the next roll.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Physical stress can also cause the film to develop out. I used to get black edges on 120 film when it was pressed hard into the reel. Maybe you're stressing the film when loading the reel?

Doremus

 

[pentaxuser]

I have the same leaks on Tri-X.

So that's identical streaks on D3200 and Tri-X which isn't a fast film in the way D3200 is. Are there any other films exhibiting such streaks? Are they all on the same camera?

I do wonder to an even greater extent if the streaks have anything to do with the film picker. Try levering off the cassette top in the total darkness and then loading it to see if this produces any difference. It might eliminate or help confirm that the picker is the problem.

pentaxuser

 

[ic-racer]

I actually shoot this film rated at 1600 and develop at 10% longer than recommended.

Yes, under exposed and over developed, per the instructions.

 

[ericdan]

Yes, under exposed and over developed, per the instructions.

I guess, since it's actually not even a 1600 speed film. I saw that on my last few rolls. Even with the above recipe I barely get any shadow details. It goes to pure black.

 

[ericdan]

So that's identical streaks on D3200 and Tri-X which isn't a fast film in the way D3200 is. Are there any other films exhibiting such streaks? Are they all on the same camera?

I do wonder to an even greater extent if the streaks have anything to do with the film picker. Try levering off the cassette top in the total darkness and then loading it to see if this produces any difference. It might eliminate or help confirm that the picker is the problem.

pentaxuser

On 400TX I see the same streaks, but not as strong.
Just developed two rolls and pulled the leader out with the room lights turned off and only turned the lights back on when the leader was sticking out.
I still see some streaks, but much weaker and it barely goes beyond the first two frames.

 

[ericdan]

Physical stress can also cause the film to develop out. I used to get black edges on 120 film when it was pressed hard into the reel. Maybe you're stressing the film when loading the reel?

Doremus

that's an interesting idea. I use Paterson reels. I guess it's possible that the leader receives a little more stress than the rest of the film when loading.

 

[Bill Burk]

I would like to add the same guess you started with... film picker. And an idea how it could get past a few turns but not much more...

The first few frames can get light directly through the few sprocket holes that line up with each other by chance...

I'd just use the film picker in the dark if that's all it is.

 

[bence8810]

I'd ask you if you bulk loaded but since D3200 isn't available in bulk rolls, I already know the answer to that question.

All my films look like that but I know the reason, it is because I re-use the film cans time after time...
I don't mind it at all.

I second the suggestion of not rewinding all the way. I leave the leader out all the time, actually rewind with the camera's back to my ear so I can hear when the leader is off the takeup spool.

Ben

 

[ericdan]

as long as the light leaks don't get any worse I don't mind. So far nothing is touching the frame, but some are getting close. Another option would be to shoot one more blank frame at the beginning of the roll.

 

[pentaxuser]

Is it possible that when using the picker you inadvertently tilt the velvet trap towards the direction of the room light(s)? If the lights are strong and/or directional and /or you are directly under a light then the rays might be penetrating the trap especially as the film retriever tongues push the velvet out of the way.

The effect would possibly be exacerbated if you pull out the film while still holding the trap upwards towards the light source. Not sure it would penetrate to frame 10 as in the original film but the way the streaks diminish suggests that the near end of the film is most affected.

Just a theory and anyway it's all academic as long as the streaks do not get onto the negatives

pentaxuser